http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/spridgets-aus/ Australian Sprite and Midget Enthusiasts Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:02:07 GMT Andrew Dodd http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/spridgets-aus/message/11511 http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/spridgets-aus/message/11511 Hi About the only time I have seen an engine, with an ignition related problem, that starts and dies after 30 seconds of running was a Nissan 4WD 6 cylinder Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:21:40 GMT Andy Webster http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/spridgets-aus/message/11510 http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/spridgets-aus/message/11510 Hey..I am not seeing Colin's posts until they are replied to by someone else.....strange.. I certainly haven't blocked you Colin... and apolofgies if you Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:10:12 GMT matthew michael http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/spridgets-aus/message/11509 http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/spridgets-aus/message/11509 AC is converted to DC (rectifier) then on to the battery, the regulator dictates how much is used to charge and how much load is put on the alternator ... Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:48:40 GMT kieran brown http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/spridgets-aus/message/11508 http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/spridgets-aus/message/11508 Col, perhaps the context was different, or you mis-heard them? Kieran (ex electrical engineer) ... From: Colin Dodds To: spridgets-aus@yahoogroups.com Sent: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:29:08 GMT Colin Dodds http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/spridgets-aus/message/11507 http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/spridgets-aus/message/11507 That's not what two Auto Electricians have told me, Kieran. ... From: kieran brown To: spridgets-aus@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, November 21, 2009 7:16 AM Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:16:45 GMT kieran brown http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/spridgets-aus/message/11506 http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/spridgets-aus/message/11506 Col, NQR mate - the alt produces voltage, and there is no problem if its not connected at all. Once connected to a load (eg battery) the volts it creates Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:37:39 GMT Colin Dodds http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/spridgets-aus/message/11505 http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/spridgets-aus/message/11505 G'day Andy If you didn't have a problem with the alternator before, you do now. You can't spin an alternator without having it connected. It's producing a Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:18:56 GMT kieran brown http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/spridgets-aus/message/11504 http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/spridgets-aus/message/11504 Andy, The condenser is simply a capacitor there to limit arcing of points when they open. Its usual failure mode is to go open circuit and hence your points Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:27:02 GMT Andy Webster http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/spridgets-aus/message/11503 http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/spridgets-aus/message/11503 Nah....I've definitely knackered something..... tonight i disconnected the alternator and started the engine off the new battery...same result...runs for a few Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:20:55 GMT rodbeare http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/spridgets-aus/message/11502 http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/spridgets-aus/message/11502 It could be the belt slipping on the alternator? Thus not charging? This recently happened to my generator. Rod Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:10:16 GMT Andrew Dodd http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/spridgets-aus/message/11501 http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/spridgets-aus/message/11501 Hi, May I suggest that the dwell angle business sounds a bit sus.... how would you 'correct' the dwell angle but still have spot on timing??? You'd have to be Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:32:27 GMT Andy Webster http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/spridgets-aus/message/11500 http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/spridgets-aus/message/11500 Greetings again folks,   geez..my sprite issues at the moment all started when I decided to "do the right thing" and do a few checks before going for a quick Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:20:39 GMT Andy Webster http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/spridgets-aus/message/11499 http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/spridgets-aus/message/11499 Hi Peter et al, I reversed the polarity once on my first car (HQ Holden) and i saw the mysterious smoke come out of the alternator. I definitely didn't so Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:52:15 GMT Peter Caldwell http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/spridgets-aus/message/11498 http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/spridgets-aus/message/11498 Andy, IF indeed you have an alternator, you have blown out a few diodes in the rectifier. If the car has an alternator, then it should be NEGATIVE ground. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:53:35 GMT Eriks http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/spridgets-aus/message/11497 http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/spridgets-aus/message/11497 Andy, Assuming you don't have any modern accessories wired in like a clock or radio? If you can temporarily wire a ammeter into one of the battery leads, that